New Zealand
Local runner Paisley Park (NZ) (Azamour) showed he had taken plenty of improvement from his first-up performance at Te Rapa last month when he came with a withering late burst to score in the Listed Team Wealleans Matamata Cup (1600m). The Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall-trained eight-year-old had given plenty
New Zealand
Progressive mare Darci La Bella (NZ) (Darci Brahma) added a valuable black-type victory to an already outstanding race record when she strode clear to win the Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Hawera. The winner of eight of her 14 starts before contesting Saturday’s Group Three
New Zealand
Local runner Pier (NZ) (Proisir) dominated his three-year-old rivals in the closing stages of the AHD Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m), dashing away to win the Group Two feature in fine style. With the race transferred to Saturday’s Matamata meeting after Hastings was abandoned due to inclement weather last
New Zealand
It may have taken an extra seven days to come to fruition but Matamata mare La Crique (NZ) (Vadamos) got a deserved success at the highest level when she took out the Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) at Matamata on Saturday. The four-year-old daughter of Vadamos had been a
With four wins from six starts on heavy tracks, Expat (NZ) (Makfi) shapes as a major contender in The Nivison. The heavy rain in Sydney has been music to the ears of Expat's connections, and not just because the mare relishes wet tracks. Not only has Expat posted
New Zealand
Jockeys call on a variety of pursuits to chill out ahead of a big raceday – anything from golf to surfing, fishing or relaxing at home. Matamata-based Craig Grylls sits apart from those activities, opting for the cockpit of his sporty red Mini Mustang aeroplane as the perfect relaxer with a
New Zealand
The door remains slightly ajar for the promising Battle Sound to take on the best of his age group at Riccarton next month. The son of Belardo made the perfect start to his career earlier this month, but connections are dubious about the gelding following through on a nomination for
New Zealand
Despite early scratchings, commentator George Simon’s skills behind the microphone will be put to an unprecedented test in the opening event at Matamata on Saturday. The vastly experienced and affable race caller has dealt with several runners in stable colours in the same event in the past, but anything
New Zealand
Winton trainer John Phillips would love nothing more than to win his third Winton Cup on Sunday. Phillips has previously claimed success in his hometown feature on two occasions, with Jack Daniels winning in 1997 and King Prawn triumphant in 2013. Eight-year-old Jimmy Choux gelding Midnight Runner gives Phillips a
New Zealand
Eight-win mare Darci La Bella will be out to claim some valuable black-type on Saturday when she heads to Hawera to contest the Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m). The Darci Brahma five-year-old finished fourth in the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa in August before
Australia
Tavistock filly Pretty Tavi (NZ) belied her pedigree by comprehensively leading throughout to win her 1200-metre Mornington three-year-old fillies' maiden by 4.5 lengths on Thursday. The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Pretty Tavi ($5) burst from the inside barrier and provided rider Jamie Kah with little concern around the
Australia
As President of the Victorian Jockeys' Association, you would think Stephen Baster would be clued in as to the timing of Group 1 races. Before retiring in November 2019, Baster rode 14 Group 1 winners and had his finger on the pulse, but nowadays he is selling real estate